Book Reviews: Meg Series - Primal Waters

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Book 3 - Primal Waters

       18 years and 2 kids later we rejoin the Taylor family barely making ends meet, with Angel's departure from the lagoon and the cost of upkeep the Taylor/Tanaka family may have to sell the institute. Jonas is attempting to write a memoir but it keeps getting interrupted by his 17 year old daughter, Danielle's music and  phone solicitors so he takes a break.  The family goes to an annual Shark tooth festival in Venice Beach to talk about Angel and other Megs, this is when Jonas is offered a way out of the whole, but it might put him in a grave. A group of dare devil enthusiasts whom looks up to Jonas, for his heroic killing of Angel's mother and his dives in the trench, want him to be an announcer to their new reality TV show about daring stunts in the middle of the ocean. Jonas goes with his daughter to be the announcer DareDevils but what he doesn't know is that the person backing the show is the last person Jonas ever wants to be at sea with. 

My love for Terry was GONE in this book, she was a coward! I get that she has PTSD but she did a complete 180 in this one. She will not fly(she use to be a pilot!), she will no let her son scuba dive in the empty, is terrified of Jonas going to sea again(OK I will give her this one, she was right) but she drove me crazy. She did face some of her fears but she was just annoying. Her son, David, on the other hand is awesome. He was fearless, he would not take anything from anyone, he is his father's son. Mac was great in the other books and started off aggravating but grew as a person in this one, with help from his godson David. Dani (Danielle) was a typical teenager, thinks she knows everything, her parents are old and to cautious to do anything fun, and just a brat. She does grow near the end and learns to really respect her dad, granted she had to nearly die for that to happen. But, hey growth is growth, right? 

Book Review : Street Lights in Wonderland

I think I accidentally turned this into a book/shark blog. Eh, oh well I like both of those things a lot so I guess it would make sense. I was going to wait to review this book until I had finished with Alten's Meg series but I could not wait I needed y'all to read this amazing book! 

  

Amazon

Street Lights in Wonderland by Ashley McNiel 

 Amazon Description

"Suicide is a word commonly spoken in hushed tones and darkened doorways whenever I was near. It held a stigma that people never seemed to truly understand. It usually preceded words such as: selfish, mental illness, hopeless, damned, and my least favorite, coward. 

The word suicide held one specific meaning for me: Eli Nicholas Hampshire. " 

Shainelyn Bradshaw led a normal, happy life, until one night, her boyfriend of two years, committed suicide. 

A year later, Shaine was still trying to figure out her new world without him. 

Grief had consumed every aspect of her life. A once outgoing, bubbly, piano prodigy, now did nothing more than survive. 

Until the day Langston Fletcher burst into her life, breaking down every wall Shaine had built, then standing triumphantly atop the rubble. Langston turned Shaine's new world upside down. 

Langston shows Shaine that there is more to life than merely surviving. He shows her that the entire world is her personal Wonderland, and the best times of her life are yet to come. He's going to make sure of it. 

But just when Shaine thinks there is a chance at a life, and maybe even love after Nicholas, life shows her once again, it has other plans. 

Sometimes the same ghosts that used to keep you company, come back to haunt you. 

A story of adventures, life, and love.

My Thoughts

After this book I was just done. I was and still am in a book hangover. It was incredible, she had my crying in the first 10 pages. Shaine is an inspiration as a female character, she grows so strong and aware of herself. I hope this book teaches girls that you can be strong and confident without or despite a guy. With that said I am 100% in love with Langston not Hughes. He is incredibly well written and wise beyond his years, mentally and spiritually. I really love a good spiritual, but not preachy character and that is Langston. I feel that if I go on I might spoil this book and I do not want to do that. I will say that at times I wanted to throw my tablet, I was so frustrated about what I thought would happen next. This was made worse by stopping to sleep and I was dreaming about different outcomes and I always go worse case scenario.  But in all honesty I love every heart-breaking, anger inducing, falling in love with fictional characters moments of it.

My Langston not Hughes - ya that is Brandon Boyd from Incubus (1) (2)

I devoured this book in less that a day(split by sleep) I could not put it down! Only reason I did was Da'Hubby cannot sleep by the glow of my tablet (OOPS)! If you want a good summer read you have got to get this book. Ashley is coming out with a novella and a book two to the wonderland world and I cannot wait. I might have to reread this book a few times before they come out just so I can get my Langston not Hughes fix. 

Also be sure to check out Ashley's book blog HERE. She is an amazing person and an incredible author!

Book Review : Meg Series - The Trench

Amazon - Audible - Goodreads

Da'Hubby HATED me reading this series, it is all I wanted to do. He wanted to watch a show with me and I was like "I am almost at a stopping point" 2 hours later  "are you done yet??" - Da'Hubby. I just got lost in this world where Megs are real and an ever present danger. 

Book 2 - The Trench 

       This book (obvious by the title) takes place in the Mariana Trench 4 years after Jonas' second trip into the trench. Jonas is remarried to Terry Tanaka (daughter of the friend he helped) from the previous book. The female meg (Angel), birthed by the Meg that left the trench and was killed my Jonas in the last book, is in the Tanaka Institute Lagoon with feeding shows for the public. Now with the success of the Angel of Death shows lawsuits are rolling in from the families of the victims of the Meg deaths, putting a strain of Jonas' marriage, his wallet, and even causing a miscarriage. To make ends meet the Tanaka-Taylor family have to make a deal with the devil. Not wanting to leave the lagoon because he fears Angel will escape Jonas stay while Terry goes (against his wishes) to the Mariana Trench, and she doesn't realize how much danger she is really in. 

I love Terry in this book, she was a bada**, much better that the last book. We also meet the devil's disciples Celeste Singer and Benedict. I thought I hated Jonas' ex-wife but after meeting Celeste I would not mind having the ex back. Both Celeste and Benedict have ulterior motives and are not afraid to kill to get it done. We found out that the Megs are not the only thing that go bump in the night in the Mariana's trench. I do not know who was more dangerous Celeste and Benedict  (and his goons) or the other aggressors in the depths of the trench. This was a great sequel and that is not easy to do. This was such a thriller because in took place 5 miles below the surface of the ocean. Everything was amplified to dangerous measures, and there is no escape except death. If you have not started this series this book alone is worth it. 

New TMNT Movie Preview Review

I generally do not do reviews like this but I was raised on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and I was so excited when I heard about a new movie. I loved the cartoon, the movies, I had the toys, I even had a metal over the lap tv tray that was TNMT, I loved my turtles. 

After watching this preview I am not as excited. The turtles just do not look right. I want my turtles with the protruding snout not flat faced like this. And can I be the one to say who picked Megan Fox to be April O'Neil?  Are you serious?! I could think of so many better actresses to play that part. 

If you want to bring in (more) nerds - Felicia Day

Want someone who is popular right now? - Emma Stone

Want international crowd? - Karen Gillian

And that is just a few but they are all better than Megan Fox. Maybe I am turning into one of those people who think everything from when they grew up is better than anything from any other generation. Who knows, I will go see the movie no matter what and I will have my final view of it then. I hope it is better than it appears. 

So are y'all going to watch the new TMNT? How do you feel about movies of things you loved as a child like the Indiana Jones movie with Shia Lebouf or the upcoming Star Wars?

Book Challenge Update #4

Well this month I have been a bit of a slacker in the reading department. I just wasn't feeling it at all. I would sit and try to read a book and would get distracted. I haven't even watched much tv or movies, I have just been listening to music and playing games. But according to my Goodreads account I am still doing good I am two books ahead of schedule and I am SLOWLY working on two other books now.

I did finish one book though and it was pretty good.

I enjoyed this book and am stating to read Bewitched which is connected to Beastly. It is a modern type remake of Beauty and the Beast and all in all it is an easy read. I like books that modernize fairy tales, heck I like any fairy tale remake it doesn't even have to modernize it.  I feel like I cannot really spoil this book since it is Beauty and the Beast but it is different enough that I feel you would want to read it. 

I never saw the movie or show or what ever and I do not think I will based on how they made the beast look in the few pictures I have seen. 

♥♥♥ out of 5 

Good, might re-read 

So what have y'all been reading? I need something to get me back in the groove of things

Previous challenge update posts: January - February - March

Book Reviews: Adulting - Something Worth Fighting For - Speaker of The Dead -Ender's Game - Extras - Specials - Pretties - Uglies - The Fault in our Stars 

Book Challenge Update #3

I am two books ahead of schedule so far and I have read some good books this past month.

Switched (Trylle #1) by Amanda Hocking  • GoodReads • Amazon •

I really enjoyed this book. I heard about it from a friend who said it was about trolls and I knew I had to read it, but it is not what you expect when you think trolls. The beauty in this book is not what I expected and the mini-series at the end made we ant to read a whole story from that P.O.V. I just need to get off my hiney and download book 2.

♥♥♥1/2 out of 5

The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking by Kate Payne   • GoodReads • Amazon •

I was hoping this could help with decorating, gardening and general homemaking, but it just seemed preachy to me. Now I will say some of the advice was good but it is mainly for people in bigger cities, living in apartments not people like me who are in a small town with lots of yard and space between neighbors living in a house. When I was in college living with my parents I had the cinder block book shelf but living 'on my own' with my husband I do not think that would work too well. I also understand the importance of going green but Kate is  shoving it down your throat in this book. I get that chemicals are bad, and that cooking things from scratch are healthier for you, but not everyone has the time or energy to do so. I work 45 minutes away from my house which I know is not the longest some people have to commute but with a husband who does not eat lunch (unwinnable battle trust me I have tried) by the time we get home at almost 6 he is starving and does not want to wait for me to make everything from scratch. I will on the weekends make homemade lasagna, or other meals that require lots of time to prepare and that is usually the most delicious meal but on weekdays we (HE) wants quick easy meals. The saving grace of this book was the last chapter, she talks about having get-togethers and how we should continue to learn and grow which is something I believe in. 

♥♥ out of 5

  

Stone of Tears By Terry Goodkind   • GoodReads • Amazon •

I am so glad I picked this series up. The new characters introduced in this book were incredible. I felt Richard's hate for some of them. Grach is one of my favorite parts of the whole book, and Scarlet too. I love how he shows his compassion by the way he treats animals and is a protector for them. I thought for sure i was going to be angry at the end of the book but it turned around into a happy ending that makes me want more. 

♥♥♥♥♥ out of 5

Blood of the Fold by Terry Goodkind   • GoodReads • Amazon •

Oh my goodness so many feels! I was on the edge of my seat, I was fearful for the characters, I literally laughed out loud, and just so many feels. The mord-sith and Grach are becoming my favorites. Zed still cracks my up though. Kahlan is such a beast, she is amazing in her talents. I wish I could read the prophesies they talk about, but that may ruin the books for me. I am so ready to jump into the next book. 

♥♥♥♥♥ out of 5 

Work Hard. Be Nice. by Jay Mathews    • Good Reads • Amazon •

This book is about the KIPP schools and the two teachers that made it happen. It was an okay book, to me it seemed to jump around a bit. It would talk about what was happening in 2004 and in the next chapter discussing the weeks the guys were signing up for Teach for America in 1992. I was impressed by what the guys were able to accomplish and how well the schools are doing but the book could not hold my interest, I forced myself to finish it. I think I was able to get a few good tips for when I become a teacher but all in all just an EH kind of book about a really impressive set of guys and what they built. 

♥♥ out of 5 

What are you guys reading right now?

Previous challenge update posts: January - February

Book Reviews: Adulting - Something Worth Fighting For - Speaker of The Dead - Ender's Game - Extras - Specials - Pretties - Uglies - The Fault in our Stars

Beard Lovin'

This weekend Da'Hubby and I went to Larry's Old Time Trade Days, which is like a giant garage sale or something like that. I have mentioned it before and I love going! This time we were hunting for a glider swing  for our front porch but we found something much cooler! We met this guy!

Picture kidnapped from Texas Beard Company Facebook Page

This is me, Da'hubby, and on the end  Ryan one of the owners Texas Beard Company. If you you are a beard-lover or know a beard-lover you need to go to his site and check out the great stuff that he makes.

This is what we got Da'Hubby.  Mint Eucalyptus Beard Balm (this stuff smells amazing) and thrown into the amazing printed bag was the printed oil rag, a sticker and business card. All of the stuff minus the business cards were all made by the 4 guys running the company. I stalked Ryan a bit on instagram and facebook to show my love to the company and they did the shirts and rags in their garage with a silk screen. I am talking hardcore DIY guys here and I love it!  At this point I think I should mention that this is not a sponsored post, we paid for the balm out of our pocket (Okay, Da' Hubby's wallet but still) and we will buy more in the future. This is just a honest review of an indie Texas born company that I am genuinely impressed with. 

They have 3 scents (on their site): 

•Mint Eucalyptus - Smells incredible, it has just the right amount of mint to wake you up in the morning or if put in at night will keep your sinuses clear. (good for snorers - from me not the company)
•Tumbleweed - non-scented if you are worried about not liking the smells, or unsure of what scent your beard-lover would like.
•Clove Citrus - This one was not my cup of tea since I am not a HUGE clove fan, the citrus hints were nice but I do not think I would enjoy snuggling up to my man's beard with the clove in it. (personal preference but if you like cloves and citrus you will love this smell)

Da'Hubby prefers balm over the oils just because he is not a fan of the way the oil it feels in his beard but the balm is amazing. His beard is already feeling softer, and he says it is easier to tame too. We have tried leave-in conditioner (MY Sleek and Smooth Garnier Leave in conditioner) and it works good but it smells girly, and we have not been able to find anything designated for beards without looking online. I have seen Blue Beards on Amazon and the countless ones on Etsy but being able to actually smell it before I bought it was a big plus for me. And not only that, we were able to see the beards of the guys who make the stuff and were able to see first hand what it can do for Da'Hubby's beard.  Basically I am so happy with this brand and their product and I cannot wait to buy more and support their growth. 

Oh and to switch topics real quick - here is the swing Da' Hubby got me!

It is a double glider from M&D Supply and I love it!!! I like to try things out before I buy and sadly the ones at Larry's Trade Days were either not comfortable, unable to try out, or WAY out of our price range.

Do you have any indie brands that you love? I would gladly go check them out!